The condition of #75 in October, 1991, when we arrived to inspect the engines before purchase.

 

 

 

 

 

The condition of #75 after we had removed everything possible by hand prior to bringing it to Indiana.

The tank and boiler of #75 were removed from the wheels and were the first big part of the engine to arrive at our farm shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wheels and frame of #75 were the first parts to be restored. This picture shows them soon after arrival in the shop.

Another view of the dismantled wheels and frame in the shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The completed wheels and frame unit pulled out of the shop. The tank can be seen in the background upside down on a farm wagon for easy transport.

Sandblasting the boiler before pulling it into the shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working on one of the 265 staybolts that had to be replaced.

This shows the completed boiler returned to the wheels and frame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original cab was in such poor condition it was necessary to build a completely new one.

 

 

 

 

 

Setting the new cab on the frame was accomplished with our old telephone boom truck.

This is the first time we fired the engine and it moved under its own power. It was a long way to completion but we were excited to have the engine moving back and forth on our 50 feet of track!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because of changes in FRA Regulations it was necessary for us to remove all the flues, ultrasound the boiler, and put in all new flues. During this time we also added an air compressor and converted the steam brakes to air brakes.

Engine pulled out of shop for painting, completed except for addition of saddletank.
July, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

Painting completed and ready for the saddletank.

We brought in a crane to lift the saddletank and place it over the boiler.

 

 

 

 

 

After the completion of the restoration and passing the final inspections we celebrated with a "coming out" Open House. We laid 300 feet of temporary track down our dead end road and ran the engine back and forth. We invited friends and neighbors, persons who helped with the restoration, local railfans, and those who said we would never get it done. We even had curious passers-by who heard the whistle and saw the smoke show up!